Racing: Bertolini colt fetches $400k

Hong Kong-based businessman Johnny Ng provided the highlight of New Zealand Bloodstock's annual Ready to Run Sale of 2-year-olds at Karaka yesterday.

Ng paid $400,000 for a colt by Bertolini from the unraced Ebony Grosve mare, Ebony Pearl. Speaking on behalf of the new owner, Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung was full of praise for the standout youngster.

"We were drawn to him as he's precocious and has a beautiful action. He's also very well educated being prepared by Lyndhurst Farm. He will go to Cambridge until July or August 2010 before he goes up to race in Hong Kong."

A strong and diverse buying bench competed for the 293 young horses on offer - the smallest catalogue at this sale since 2003.

By the end of the day, 174 horses had sold for $10,416,000 - compared with $14,910,500 for 247 in 2008 - at an average price of $59,862, less than 1 per cent down on last year's $60,366 average.

NZB managing director sales and marketing Petrea Vela said there was clear strength over the course of the day.

"The feeling on the salegrounds was one of a genuinely good sale, with buyers finding it challenging to secure the horses they wanted. As often happens it got stronger and stronger as the day progressed, but it was a discerning market and buyers were selective about what met their criteria."

The leading buyer of the day was Hong Kong-based agent Bahen Bloodstock, which bought seven 2-year-olds for $515,000, including a top price of $155,000 paid for Lot 201, a gelding by Savabeel from the winning Centaine mare, Champagne Heights.

For the third year in a row, Mark and Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm was the leading vendor of the sale.

Sales over $100,000:

Arnwood Farm's b g Elusive City-La Chamane went to Me Tsui, Hong Kong, $130,000.

Anzac Lodge's ch c Postponed-Lady Gesine went to John Foote Bloodstock, Qld, $105,000.

Wellfield Lodge's ch c Encosta de Lago-Lake Alexandrina went to S & B Gray, Singapore, $190,000.

Lyndhurst Farm's b c Exceed and Excel-Miss Krovanh went to NZ Bloodstock, Hong Kong, $240,000.

Lyndhurst Farm's br f More Than Ready-Miss Vandal went to Maneroo, Qld, $150,000.

Esker Lodge's b c Exceed and Excel-Night Chaser went to Waikato Bloodstock, Cambridge, $220,000.

Kilgravin Lodge's b g Danzero-Ornellaia went to LK Laxon, Singapore, $100,000.

Oxford Thoroughbreds' b c Foreplay-Paris Diamond went to Collett Racing Stables, Huntly, $155,000.

Phoenix Park's b c Pins-Redzabetta went to DC Harrison, Victoria, $180,000.

Lyndhurst Farm's br c Fusaichi Pegasus-Royal Season went to Robert Roulston Bloodstock, Victoria, $150,000.

Mana Park's bl c Domesday-Sansadee went to CJT & G Davison, Cambridge, $180,000.

Mana Park's b f Anabaa-Sea Songwent to DK Binaisse, Victoria, $100,000.

Bluegables Farm's b g General Nediym-Springburn went to Mulcaster Bloodstock, Auckland, $170,000.

Lyndhurst Farm's b c Oratorio-Twiggy Summit went to Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Victoria, $210,000.

Esker Lodge's b c Encosta de Lago-Unrocel Saint went to Rogerson Bloodstock, Hamilton, $195,000.

Dormello Stud's b c Savabeel-Vanessatheundressa went to DG Price, NSW, $150,000.

Esker Lodge's b c Golan-Voli Court went to Magus Equine, Hong Kong, $120,000.

Windsor Park Stud's br c Golan-Whistling Jazz went to PA Willetts, Auckland, $105,000.

Phoenix Park's ch g Pins-Winds of Conquest went to F Broer, Netherlands, $150,000.

Anzac Lodge's br c Lucky Owners-Zedique went to Bahen Bloodstock, Hong Kong, $125,000.

Esker Lodge's br g St Reims-Bright Beauty went to LT Hope, Victoria, $140,000.

Phoenix Park's ch g Stratum-Career Start went to MH Wee, Malaysia, $210,000.

Kilgravin Lodge's br g Savabeel-Champagne Heights went to Bahen Bloodstock, Hong Kong, $155,000.

Regal Farm's b c Al Maher-Chantilly Rose went to NZ Bloodstock, Hong Kong, $115,000.

Te Runga Stud's ch c Shamardal-Clerio went to Mulcaster Blstk, Hong Kong, $110,000.

Mangatiti Bloodstock's b g High Chaparral-Coochiecoochie Coo went to Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Victoria, $170,000.

Lyndhurst Farm's ch g Galileo-Crystalline went to Rogerson Bloodstock, Hamilton, $140,000.

Kilgravin Lodge's ch g No Excuse Needed-Disguised went to Dale Short Racing, Victoria, $140,000.

Lyndhurst Farm's b c Bertolini-Ebony Pearl went to Johnny Ng, Hong Kong, $400,000.

Mana Park's ch c Jet Spur-Elegant Emerald went to Riwa Park, Cambridge, $140,000.

Lyndhurst Farm's ch f More Than Ready-Equuleus went to Michael Otto Bloodstock, Auckland, $190,000.

Rototuna Lodge's b g Keeper-Girl of Value went to J Morrisey, NSW, $100,000.

Curraghmore Stud's b c Tale of the Cat-Golden Bridge went to DC Ellis, Te Akau, $220,000.

Haunui Farm's b c Don Eduardo-Gu Li went to Gary Mudgway Bloodstock, Victoria, $100,000.

Lyndhurst Farm's b c Danzero-Hsin Hsin Wei went to Magus Equine, Hong Kong, $100,000.

Haunui Farm's b c Don Eduardo-Gu Li went to Gary Mudgway Bloodstock, Victoria, $100,000.

Dormello Stud's ch c Postponed-Imperial Patrice went to CP Beh, Malaysia, $105,000.

Woodridge Farm's ch g No Excuse Needed-Kristabeba went to Dale Short, Racinge, Victoria, $130,000.